Answer:
There was personal animosity of the LTTE chief Prabhakaran towards Rajiv Gandhi. This animosity was the result of the 'Indo Sri Lankan Accord' signed in 1987 between India and Sri Lanka and under its mandate, the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) was sent to Sri Lanka with the intention of restoring peace. Many indian soldiers and LTTE rebels were killed. The IPKG mission didn't achieve much success. But Rajiv Gandhi always supported a solution to the conflict between Sri Lanka and LTTE which was unacceptable to the LTTE. With the change in government, the IPKF was withdrawn in 1990. 1991 was election time in India and the LTTE, viewed the return of Rajiv Gandhi to power in India as a severe impediment in the creation of a a separate nation of Eelam. Thus Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated in a public meeting at Sriperumbudur on 21 May 1991.
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